2011 Creative Writing & Arts winners named

Student awards and scholarships were presented at the 36th annual Creative Writing and Arts ceremonies held Wednesday at Paris Junior College. The awards were begun in 1976 to encourage and recognize student writing and later broadened to include art. Marsha Dennis, PJC English instructor, opened the ceremonies.

Paris Junior College President Dr. Pamela Anglin welcomed the students, friends and family members. “Spring is always an exciting time at PJC when we get to recognize the many talents of our students,” she said. “Our students are why we are here.”

English instructor Rhonda Armstrong presented Bryan Parham of Arthur City as the Outstanding Student in English. Armstrong then named Simbarashe Mazambani of Garland as the Outstanding Student in English as a Second Language.

Sharon Dennehy, journalism instructor and The Bat student newspaper advisor, presented The Paris News Journalism Scholarship to Christina Gunlock of Bonham, who was co-editor of The Bat. Gunlock and Quentin Carpenter of Quinlan, also The Bat co-editor, were named Journalism Students of the Year.

Philip Briggs, vocal music instructor, directed the PJC Chorale in presenting a selection of poetry set to music. The group performed “The Road Not Taken”, and “Choose Something Like a Star” by American Composer Randall Thompson using the words of Robert Frost. Following the music selections, Gloria Cooper of Paris was named Music Student of the Year by Briggs and Jenny Vaughan, instrumental instructor.

Creighton Newfarmer of Hugo, Okla., was awarded the Rebecca Fitch Award as the Outstanding Freshman Art Student, along with a scholarship. The award was presented by Susan Moore, art instructor.

“Swingers of Birches,” an anthology of the prize-winning entries published by the Communications and Fine Arts Division and produced by the PJC Print Shop, was distributed at the reception following the awards ceremony. To receive a copy, contact the English Department.

An exhibit of winning art works is on display in the lobby of the JR McLemore Student Center on the college campus through the end of April. Viewing hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to noon.

Regional literature: first, This Paris in the Spring, Shirley Perkins, Paris campus, Paris; second, The Town That Has a Hell of a Time, Nicholas Zamir, Paris campus, Paris; third, Leaving Home, Connie Ball; 4th, Year 2045, John Lewis, Paris High School, Paris.